That summer, he led an expedition against Fort Carillon (later known as Fort
Ticonderoga). Abercrombie was a genius at organization, but
vacillated in his leadership to the point where his troops called
him Mrs. Nanny Cromby. He managed the remarkable feat of
assembling 15,000 troops and moving them and their supplies through
the wilderness. Then, on July 8, he directed his troops into a
frontal assault on a fortified French position, without the benefit
of artillery support. More than 2,000 men were killed or wounded.
Eventually his force panicked and fled, and he retreated to his
fortified camp south of Lake George. This disaster
caused his replacement by General Jeffrey Amherst and
his recall to England in 1759. On his return to England, he sat as
a member of parliament, and supported the
coercive policy toward the American colonies.